Joy as Elegba festival holds in Lagos

The week-long celebration of the annual Elegba festival by the Elegushi royal family Lagos ended on colourful note last weekend.

The Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi and his subjects spared nothing was spared to make the outing memorable. It was indeed, a renewal of an ancient pact with their source.

The festival attracted the sons and daughters of the community from far and near. It is dedicated to Elegba, the deity that ensures peace, tranquility and prosperity among members of the community.

The Elegba shrine, called Agbo Elegba, is where elaborate sacrifices are performed to appease the deity. As early as 9 am last Friday, the ceremony kicked off. Only the Olofin of Ikateland, the coordinator of the festival, wore a ceremonial white attire in line with tradition.

Other worshippers left the upper parts of their bodies bare. Men tied white loin clothes around their waists; women covered their chests.

Beaming with satisfaction, Elegushi, with his white-cap walked to the Agbo Elegba, to perform the traditional rites. Shortly after the monarch and the chiefs were ushered in amid traditional praise songs, they were at the shrine to pay homage to the gods. The traditional breaking of kolanuts, Ikunlepabi, followed after Oba Elegushi and his chiefs returned from the shrine. The exercise determines the mood of the gods.

The divination session followed. Kolanuts were shared among all, irrespective of class, age or status. Animals including snail, cock, goat, dog and pig were slaughtered to appease the gods.

It is believed that the water from snail, if robbed all over the devotees’ bodies would ward off all manners of communicable diseases. It was shared among all at the festival A big gong was beaten and the worshippers went jubilant with hearty songs of praises for the Elegba.

The sacrifices over, a gallon of palm oil was poured on the shrine, signalling the successful appeasement of Esu with promises of diverse goodies for the people. Then, merriment kicked off.

Excitedly, Oba Elegushi and his chiefs moved into an inner chamber within the premises to wait for the masquerades that came much later to celebrate with the people.

The Elegba festival is celebrated to usher in a new year and to ensure peace in the community.

Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, the Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, refuted the notion that Elegba is a cult group or secret society, saying that it is a royal festival in hosted only by Olofin’s children and not an all comers’ affair. “It is a reminder of the genuineness and beauty of Lagos ancestral heritage,” he said, adding that the festival had, over the years, bonded all settlements created by Olofin together, thereby bringing peace and unity.

Erelu Lola Ladoja, the Erelu of Ikate Elegushi said women from the kingdom where Elegba Festival is held usually play very prominent roles in making it a success.

Oba Saheed Elegushi expressed satisfaction at the success of the event, saying: “As it happened last year, I’m delighted at this year’s outing and more importantly, we are sure of another blissful and prosperous year for all in my kingdom.”

“From our experience over the years, it goes without saying that tradition, if faithfully observed, plays a major role in ensuring a peaceful and largely prosperous society and its people. We are expecting another good year,” the monarch added.